You lose your car key, what do you do?
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t know what to do when you lose your car key. Panic sets in and you may not know who to call for help.
Austin Car Key Pros is here to help. We are a full-service automotive locksmith company that can help you get back on the road quickly and easily. We offer a wide range of services, from key duplication to lockout assistance, so you can get back into your car and on with your day.
Losing your car key can be a stressful experience. You’re not sure what to do and you feel like you’re in a bind. Here at Austin Car Key Pros, we want to help make this stressful time a little easier for you. We’ve put together a list of things you can do when you lose your car key.
Do Not Panic
The first thing you need to do when you lose your car key is to not panic. It can be tempting to freak out, but it’s important to stay calm. Losing your car key is stressful, but it’s important to remember that it’s not the end of the world. There are plenty of people who have gone through this before and there are plenty of resources available to help you get through it.
Retrace Your Steps
Retracing your steps is the first step in locating misplaced keys. This may appear to be an easy task, but it might feel intimidating when you’re in a panic. Take a look at the spots you previously visited.
When retracing your steps, remember the last time you saw your keys. Where were you? What were you doing? What did you do next? This might help you figure out where you started. Maybe you took them home with you and forgot about them, or maybe you left them on the table at a restaurant you were just visiting.
Before making any unpleasant calls, retrace your steps to provide yourself with somewhere to start.
If you truly do lose your keys, it’s time to call a vehicle locksmith. These professionals can assist you in getting back on the road quickly. You’ll need certain key information, however; so let’s figure out what you need to do this step as smoothly as possible.
Find Your Car Key Type
Knowing and comprehending the distinctions in car key types is critical for ensuring that the search for or replacement of them goes smoothly. In order to allow your locksmith to get in easily, you’ll need to inform them before you call, but even before you make the decision, you’ll want to know which locksmith can assist you based on the type of key you’ve misplaced.
1. Traditional Keys
Traditional car keys are a tried-and-true option. They’ve been around for decades, and replacing or counterfeiting them is simple. Unless they have been retrofitted to accept contemporary technology, such keys are commonly found in older vehicles. However, they provide little protection for your automobile, but they are the finest type of key to have if you ever lose your original key and do not have a spare.
It’s critical to consider both a key and the lock it fits when assessing the security of each component. These traditional keys are simple to duplicate and may be used to make spare car keys and duplicates. The major reason is that you won’t have to connect any of the vehicle’s internal electronics with the key.
2. Transponder Keys
If you have a relatively recent vehicle, there’s a good chance it has a programmed transponder key paired with a keyless entry remote, or simply the transponder key. Transponder keys are standard on most cars produced after the late 1990s.
The pairing procedure between a car and a key is elevated with a transponder key. These keys improve communication between equipment, giving automobiles greater security than they’ve ever had. Despite the fact that these keys enhance protection, they make it difficult to come up with a solution for finding a lost car key.
3. Keyless Entry Remote
Keyless entry remotes, also known as key fobs, are remote controls that allow you to operate your vehicle’s doors and ignition. In certain vehicles, these key fobs are linked with transponder keys. However, in recent years, newer automobile models have dropped the requirement for a transponder key and rely only on keyless access remotes.
A remote key is an electronic device that allows you to operate your automobile from a distance. This technology enables you to drive your car with minimal effort and time. As a result, it makes your vehicle considerably more accessible to you. Having a keyless entry remote has several advantages, but it’s difficult to see them when you’ve misplaced your vehicle keys and don’t have a spare. The reason is that key fob replacement costs a lot more than traditional keys.
4. Smart Keys
A smart key uses radio frequencies to communicate with the car’s computer to unlock doors and start the engine.
Smart keys are the newest type of key and are becoming increasingly popular in newer models. They don’t have any physical buttons or keyholes and can be used to start the car without even taking them out of your pocket. The car will detect the presence of the key and unlock itself automatically.
Knowing which type of key you have will help determine who you need to call for assistance as well as what kind of spare keys you should get made.
Gather the Necessary Key Information
In order to get a new key, you’ll need to provide your locksmith with some key information. This includes your:
- Make
- Model
- Year
- VIN number
You’ll also need to let them know what type of key you had, as this will determine what kind of replacement they can give you. Once you have this information gathered, you’ll be able to call a locksmith and get back on the road in no time.
Call a Locksmith
One of the best things you can do when you lose your car key is to call a locksmith. A locksmith will be able to help you get a new key made or even open your car if you’re locked out. They will have the tools and expertise necessary to help you in a timely and efficient manner.
If you’re not sure how to find a locksmith, you can search online or look in the yellow pages. You can also ask around for recommendations from friends or family. Once you find a locksmith you trust, be sure to save their number in your phone so you have it on hand in case you ever lose your car key again.
Austin Car Key Pros is the Best Auto Locksmith in Austin!
If you lose your car keys, it can be a real pain. You may be stranded somewhere and unable to get home or to work. You may have to call a tow truck and pay for a tow. Or, you may have to pay for a new key from the dealership.
All of this can be avoided if you call Austin Car Key Pros. We are the best auto locksmith in Austin and we can help you get a new key made quickly and easily.
There are many reasons why Austin Car Key Pros is the best auto locksmith in Austin.
First, we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
This means that no matter when you lose your keys, we can help you. We also offer mobile service, so we can come to you, regardless of where you are.
Another reason to choose Austin Car Key Pros is that we are much cheaper than the dealership.
A new key from the dealership can cost hundreds of dollars. We can make you a new key for a fraction of that price.
Lastly, we are experts at what we do.
We have been in business for years and have helped thousands of people get new keys made.
We know how to quickly and easily make a new key for your car.
FAQs About What to Do When You Lose Your Car Key
How to prevent losing your car keys?
Get a key tracking device
If you're really worried about losing your car keys, you can get a key tracking device. These devices attach to your keys and help you track them if they ever get lost.
Use a keychain
Another way to keep track of your car keys is by using a keychain. This way, you can attach your keys to something else so that they're less likely to get lost.
Keep them in a safe place
When you're not using your car keys, make sure to keep them in a safe place where you won't lose them. This could be a drawer in your desk or a box in your closet.
Make a copy of your keys
If you're worried about losing your car keys, make a copy of them and keep the copy in a safe place. That way, if you do lose your keys, you'll have a backup.
Label your keys
If you have multiple sets of keys, label them so that you know which is which. This will help you keep track of your keys and prevent you from losing them.
How much does it cost to replace a car key?
If you've lost your car key, the first thing you'll need to do is call a locksmith. They will be able to come out and make you a new key. The cost of this service will depend on the make and model of your car. Expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $250 for a new car key.
If you have an older car, you may be able to get by just getting a new key cut. This will cost much less than having a new key made, but it's important to note that this will only work if you still have the key fob. If you don't have the key fob, you'll need to get a new one made.
Are lost car keys covered by insurance?
If you lose your keys or they are stolen, you may be covered by your insurer, but if a family member or friend loses them, it's unlikely that your insurer will pay the costs. If they have been stolen, you must report the crime to the police and get a crime reference number in order to make a claim with your insurance.
Should I report lost car keys?
If you know that your car keys have been stolen but your car is still in your possession, the first thing to do is report the crime to the police. They may be able to offer further advice around protecting your car, such as using a wheel lock, and will provide you with a crime reference number.
Can a locksmith make a door key without the original?
If it's a lost key a locksmith can make you a key without the original, as locksmiths can make keys to lock by hand. By using a blank and a file and the skills, they've developed over the years a locksmith can create a key from scratch without the need for an original key.
Should I change locks after losing the keys?
If you've lost your car keys and are worried that they may have fallen into the wrong hands, you may want to consider changing the locks on your car. This will ensure that no one else will be able to access your car. The cost of this will depend on the make and model of your car.
Have you lost your car key?
Austin Car Key Pros is here to help. We are a full-service locksmith company that can make a new key for your car, and we offer 24/7 emergency service. We have the latest technology and equipment to get the job done quickly and efficiently.
You don't have to worry about being stranded on the side of the road. We will come to you and help you get back into your car. We know how important it is for you to be able to get where you need to go, and we will do everything we can to help you.
How to prevent losing your car keys?
Get a key tracking device
If you're really worried about losing your car keys, you can get a key tracking device. These devices attach to your keys and help you track them if they ever get lost.
Use a keychain
Another way to keep track of your car keys is by using a keychain. This way, you can attach your keys to something else so that they're less likely to get lost.
Keep them in a safe place
When you're not using your car keys, make sure to keep them in a safe place where you won't lose them. This could be a drawer in your desk or a box in your closet.
Make a copy of your keys
If you're worried about losing your car keys, make a copy of them and keep the copy in a safe place. That way, if you do lose your keys, you'll have a backup.
Label your keys
If you have multiple sets of keys, label them so that you know which is which. This will help you keep track of your keys and prevent you from losing them.
How much does it cost to replace a car key?
If you've lost your car key, the first thing you'll need to do is call a locksmith. They will be able to come out and make you a new key. The cost of this service will depend on the make and model of your car. Expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $250 for a new car key.
If you have an older car, you may be able to get by just getting a new key cut. This will cost much less than having a new key made, but it's important to note that this will only work if you still have the key fob. If you don't have the key fob, you'll need to get a new one made.
Are lost car keys covered by insurance?
If you lose your keys or they are stolen, you may be covered by your insurer, but if a family member or friend loses them, it's unlikely that your insurer will pay the costs. If they have been stolen, you must report the crime to the police and get a crime reference number in order to make a claim with your insurance.
Should I report lost car keys?
If you know that your car keys have been stolen but your car is still in your possession, the first thing to do is report the crime to the police. They may be able to offer further advice around protecting your car, such as using a wheel lock, and will provide you with a crime reference number.
Can a locksmith make a door key without the original?
If it's a lost key a locksmith can make you a key without the original, as locksmiths can make keys to lock by hand. By using a blank and a file and the skills, they've developed over the years a locksmith can create a key from scratch without the need for an original key.
Should I change locks after losing the keys?
If you've lost your car keys and are worried that they may have fallen into the wrong hands, you may want to consider changing the locks on your car. This will ensure that no one else will be able to access your car. The cost of this will depend on the make and model of your car.
Have you lost your car key?
Austin Car Key Pros is here to help. We are a full-service locksmith company that can make a new key for your car, and we offer 24/7 emergency service. We have the latest technology and equipment to get the job done quickly and efficiently.
You don't have to worry about being stranded on the side of the road. We will come to you and help you get back into your car. We know how important it is for you to be able to get where you need to go, and we will do everything we can to help you.